Oddly Enough

Argentines celebrate after dramatic final World Cup qualifying win

Facing a potential World Cup without Argentina, the country's national team won in dramatic fashion with a hat-trick by superstar Lionel Messi, giving fans new hope. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

TRANSCRIPT +

ROUGH CUT - SUBTITLED (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
On the cusp of missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentines packed bars Tuesday to watch their beloved Albiceleste.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINA FAN, MARIANO ALZOGARAY, SAYING:
"Honestly, it's been really tough. I don't know what it feels like to give birth, but I think this was just as bad. There was a lot of heartache at the start of the game because we were losing after the first minute so all the optimism we started with was knocked out of us."
But the optimism returned with a hat-trick by Lionel Messi.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINA FAN, OSCAR BARRIOS, SAYING:
"I had just said to my friend here that Messi was going to make three goals, so I am even happier. Thanks to Messi, we've qualified. A World Cup without Messi, like I said earlier today, it's like pizza without cheese, or a girlfriend without kisses [laughs]."
After finishing as runner-ups in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Argentina will now get a chance at redemption in Russia.

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